Patient Care Technician

The healthcare industry is currently undergoing major changes in the manner in which patient care is provided. In addition to medical assistants, this restructuring has resulted in the introduction of a new category of healthcare worker trained to perform a variety of patient care services. Patient Care Technicians possess the technical skills necessary to service complex patient personal care and medical assisting issues including the implementation of selected portions of a specific care plan that may include rehabilitation services, basic bedside care, collection of laboratory specimens, phlebotomy and EKG’s. They work alongside doctors, nurses, medical assistants, and other healthcare providers to oversee and monitor patients.

This Patient Care Technician program will provide you with the basic medical knowledge and hands on skills necessary to perform or obtain technical diagnostic testing and perform direct patient care.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Explain the role of the Patient Care Technician
• Explain Confidentiality and HIPAA
• Recognize Medical Terminology & Anatomy and Physiology
• Know the function of the patient care department in a variety of settings (hospital, clinic, office, mobile service, long term care facilities)
• Describe the various health care facilities
• Demonstrate care & safety of patients, medical & legal aspects and work ethics
• Communicate effectively in a professional healthcare environment
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills and human behavior
• Describe the anatomy of each of the body systems to include the heart, conduction system, circulation of the heart and blood vessels
• Describe aseptic technique and infection prevention
• Understand the nursing process
• Understand bed making, personal hygiene and grooming
• Explain the concepts of urinary, bowel elimination, nutrition and fluids
• Describe basic respiratory care
• Describe disease states and wound care
• Understand rehabilitation and restorative care
• Explain how to measure vital signs
• Explain how to observe and report patient condition
• Understand mobility and body position
• Describe toileting, incontinence and catheter care
• Perform documenting intake and output

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

	National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC)
	National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Certified Personal Care Assistant (CPCA)
	National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A)

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.